The Cartographers’ Guild is a forum created by and for map makers and aficionados, a place where every aspect of cartography can be admired, examined, learned, and discussed. Our membership consists of professional designers and artists, hobbyists, and amateurs—all are welcome to join and participate in the quest for cartographic skill and knowledge.

Although we specialize in maps of fictional realms, as commonly used in both novels and games (both tabletop and role-playing), many Guild members are also proficient in historical and contemporary maps. Likewise, we specialize in computer-assisted cartography (such as with GIMP, Adobe apps, Campaign Cartographer, Dundjinni, etc.), although many members here also have interest in maps drafted by hand.

If this is your first visit, be sure to check out the FAQ. You will have to register before you can post or view full size images in the forums.

An introduction

Hello everyone. I've been lurking for a few weeks, decided to post to say hi finally. I'm new to cartography, I stumbled across this site while attempting to make a map for a fantasy world I'm currently in the early stages of creating, and the quality of the content here was so high that I kind of got sucked in. I'm currently spending time reading tutorials and attempting to use GIMP to create a world map. Great to be here!

Yeah, we kinda have that effect on people. You get sucked in and forget about everything else for a while to feed your new addiction. It's all part of our master plan to take over the world while actually being honest, helpful, and nice to people. Glad to have ya here.

If the radiance of a thousand suns was to burst at once into the sky, that would be like the splendor of the Mighty One...I am become Death, the Shatterer of worlds.
-J. Robert Oppenheimer (father of the atom bomb) alluding to The Bhagavad Gita (Chapter 11, Verse 32)